Page 45 of Savage Rose

A few of the guys haul Justin’s now-limp body away. Floorboards creak and feet scramble down the hall.

At my side, the bed dips under Xander’s weight as he sits next to me. “Are you okay, Red?” His voice is full of grit, low and surprisingly gentle. “He didn’t …”

I look up when his voice trails off to see him watching me, his dark eyes full of tightly-leashed anger. Yet, there’s something soft there when I look deeper. Something unexpected and touching. He pulls at his hair. “I tried to warn you. I tried.”

The heels of my hands press against my temples, and I rub, certain all of this is just a bad dream. Like if I were to close my eyes and open them again, I’d be at home with Aunt Liz and Uncle David.

But I’m not. And this is no dream. I’m sitting on an unfamiliar bed in a huge mansion with Xander Grey, my unlikely rescuer, at my side.

“I know you did. And I didn’t believe you. I thought you were exaggerating.”

“Why’d you bring him up here with you? Were you doing it to get back at me for being in the hot tub with Aria? Because I swear, she’s nothing to me. Not like that, I—”

I interrupt. “No. I just came up here to be alone. He must have followed me.” My eyes flick to his. “He was going to—” I can’t even say it. “Did you hurt him really badly?” I whisper.

“Yes. You know I did.”

“Why? Why did you care what he was doing?” The breath I draw in shudders back out while I wait for his answer.

After several quiet seconds, he rasps, “I hurt him because he touched you. And you aren’t his to touch.” He blinks, but goes right on staring at me, searching my face for answers I’m not ready to give him yet.

My body is suddenly rocked with vicious tremors. Xander’s arms come around me, scooping me up off the bed and onto his lap. They’re like bands of steel wrapped around me, protecting me from anyone or anything that would harm me. His citrus-and-spice scent and the feel of the warm, pliant skin of his chest next to my cheek comfort me in a way I never would have dreamed possible after the way he has taunted me. He’s left me confused, guessing, and frustrated. Not understanding. He’s made my start here more difficult than it had to be. But despite all that, in this moment, I know I’m safe with him.

I don’t understand how it’s possible. The longer I stay here, wrapped up in his embrace, the more I lose sight of all the things he’s done, like they’re wiped away by this simple act of kindness.

His hands touch me softly, caressing my skin, calming me.

Of course, once my brain kicks back in, bits of memories of our short, shared history assail me from all sides.What are you doing? He literally just invited you to come to this party, then acted like he didn’t when you showed up.“I-I have to go.”

He reaches out and takes my hand, pulling me back to stand between his legs. “Why?”

“I shouldn’t be here.” I let go of his hand and put my palms to my cheeks, trying to breathe and keep myself calm. I stare into his dark, shadowed eyes at close range. “I haven’t forgotten what you said to me earlier. You said, ‘What the fuck are you doing here?’ I was so stupid to think when you texted me that you actually wanted me to come tonight.” I sniff. “I mean, what kind of idiot must I be to believe a word you say? Even now.”

He reaches for me. I step away.

He drops his head for a few seconds. When he looks back up, there is fire in his eyes. “Inevertexted you. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was confused to see you here, but only because I thought this wasn’t your thing.”

What does he mean he didn’t text me? I scoff, “Someone pretended to be you?”

He shrugs. “Sounds like it. I was caught by surprise. A pleasant surprise, though.”

“Is that why Aria was in your lap?” I dislike the hint of jealousy lacing my question.

He grips my hip just like he did that day in the woods. Possessive. “I told you, Aria and I have an arrangement. It’s not like that between us. It just looks that way.” The feel of his hand on me has the power to make me lose all train of thought.

I’m scared to know just what their arrangement consists of. I back away again. “I can’t think when you put your hands on me.”

He looks up at me from under his inky dark lashes, a slow smirk spreading across his face. “I think I like that.”

“Well, I don’t.” I run my hands over my upper arms, trying to warm myself. “My bracelet. Do you see it on the bed? I had it before Justin came in here.”

Xander turns around, sweeping the bed with his hand, then holding it up when he finds it. “Come here. I’ll put it back on you, where it belongs.”

I bite out, “If that’s the case, why’d you give it to Aria?” I feel very naked under his stare. Very exposed. Very vulnerable.

In the dark room, his white teeth clench together. “I didn’t, Scarlett. I swear to you. I didn’t touch it. I didn’t realize it was on her wrist until you said something. I promise.”

For some reason, his usage of my actual name convinces me he’s telling the truth. I step back toward him, holding my wrist out. My heart pounds as his big hands work the clasp on my delicate bracelet. Once it’s secured, he tugs me back between his legs, resting his hands on my hips. He drops his forehead to my chest, and I don’t know what to do with my hands, but they end up resting at the back of his head, my fingers lacing through his hair. Something happens to me when he touches me. My entire body warms, wanting more.

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